DEPTFORD -- The township's police department has adopted an initiative to use plant DNA to fight property crime, with the added goal of getting the technology to senior citizens for free.

DNA marking is a method of tracking property in which owners mark an item with a solution containing plant DNA, then register their names with a special serial number. When a stolen object -- anything from a watch to a car -- is recovered, investigators simply shine an ultraviolet light on the item to find the mark. A sample is then tested in a lab to determine who owns the item.

Deptford used to offer free engraving to residents who wanted to mark their property, but the program was not a popular one.

"When I started [police work] in the 1990s, you'd engrave a drivers' license number on the back of a television," said Sgt. John Leone of Deptford's Community Policing Unit.

"But you could remove that very easily," added Cpl. Todd Graves. "And if it's anything of value, it loses some of its value the second you mark it. Engraving was basically useless with jewelry."

That, said Leone, is why the department has teamed up with the Stony Brook, New York-based firm Applied DNA Sciences. The program has already been adopted across Camden County. Deptford is the first town in neighboring Gloucester County to get on board.

"It's not uncommon to catch a burglar with a lot of property. If a guy has 10 phones or a few laptops, we can scan them," Leone said.

"Marking has been around for more than 50 years, but as far as using the botanical DNA, that's where we're unique," said Mike Nizich, security asset sales director for Applied DNA Sciences. "DNA is already accepted into court. When one of our marks is sent to us, we send back a report from a certified crime lab, which is strong evidence."

"More importantly, beyond prosecution, is that the owner is more likely to get their stuff back," said Graves.

Ideally, said Leone, police would like every homeowner in town to obtain their own kit, which retails for about $70. But for at least 500 senior citizens, the program will be free, provided the department can find the funding. Leone and Graves are courting businesses, charitable organizations and individuals for donations to the program. The department will also receive a discount on kits purchased for seniors.

"Our target community are senior citizens, because they're some of the most at-risk for property crime," he said. "And we want to see them get it with ease. We'll clear all the hurdles for them."

Seniors who want to participate will receive their own kit, along with training on how to mark their belongings. Then, police will register them online with the lab's database. The department will also install signs similar to those used by alarm companies at the entrances of neighborhoods with high concentrations of senior citizens enrolled in the program.

"We're looking for donors who want to help saturate the community," said Leone. "It would be great if we could have it in every home in Deptford, but even if it's only 5, 10 or 15 percent, that's 15 percent more than we previously had."

Anyone interested in donating can contact Deptford's Community Policing Unit by emailing jleone@deptford-nj.org.